Mercy

mercy is the promise of power unexherted
an inexorability which is not exercised
and maintains supple ligaments in the gentle hand

you
fold your arms sagely and nod at pissants
who live at your discretion and fold
away at your whim

sip a cup of herbal tea and know you can destroy me
but you don't because you love me
but you don't because you're amused
but you don't
and you show me mercy

the mercy of a benevolent creator that could blot me out
with the swiftness of a thumb
as an ant on the pavement
but you don't

you are a lamb who goes carrying thumbscrews in your mouth
weaving blowtorches into your fleece
and crushing flowers under your cloven feet